Reconciliation

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance was institued by Jesus, the physician of our souls and bodies, Who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health. Jesus

willed that His Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spiri, his work of healing and salvation. The work of healing and salvation is the purpose of the Sacrament of Penance

and Reconcilation.  (Catechistm of the Catholic Church #1421).

 

God is not stingy with His Mercy. God loves to lavish His Mercy on us. At our slightest wish for forgiveness He rushes to us.  Recall the marvelous scene of the story of the Prodigal Son.

The son hesitates to return because he is fearful. But every day his father goes to a hilltop scanning the road for his son. When the boy returns and is still a long way away, his father

sees him and is full of compasision "He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him" (Lk 15-20).

 

Contrition, Confession and Satisfaction: the three acts needed for a good confession.

Contrition involves regret for the sins committed and the resolution not to do them again. (Say the Act of Contrition) (see below)

Confession:    Confessing our sins to a priest after a diligent examination of our conscience, opens us to reconciliation.

Satisfaction:    Most of our sins injure  others. We need to repair the harm. For example this could mean restoring the reputation

of someone we have undermined, apologizing, repairing a friendship, or paying compensation for injuries or damaged or

stolen goods. The penance we receive from the priest is meant to be an effective step in our self-improvement.

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation for children: Children are generally prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time when they are the second grade.

They are prepared through a special program and must already be attending religious education classes or  attending Catholic grade school.

Older children may be prepared separately after the second graders. For further information please contact the Religious Education Office at (513)988-9348.

 

Adults who wish to be initiated into the Sacrament of Reconciliation should contact the parish office at (513)988-6335

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturdays from 4:30 to 5:00pm before 5:30pm Mass. It is recommended that  penitents arrive at the beginning of the time period

to ensure adequate opportunity to receive the sacrament.

 

Parish penance services are held during Advent and Lent and are announced in the parish bulletin. Individuals may also call the parish office at (513)988-6335 to arrange

for a personal appointment with a priest to receive this sacrament.

 

The Act of Contrition:

My God, I am heartly sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins, because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You,

my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmily resolve, with the help of Your Grace, to sin no more, to repent deeply,

to avoid occasions of sin and to do Your Most Divine Will always.